Generator or Inverter

[SgtMark]

Im sure this has been discussed before on here but that was before my time lol.. Going to purchase a power supply for my camper but not sure of what I need. Honda tells me Inverter at $2200.00 and Champion dealer says standard type generator. Not real interested in dropping $2200.00 for a Honda but if that is the best so be it lol.

[IDoMyOwnStunts]

SgtMark wrote:
Not sure my a/c size my dealer said a 3500 watt
Would handle my camper just fine. I have a 27 ft
TT with one a/c unit.

Our built-in generator is 4000 watt for my 30 footer with one 15k BTU A/C, so that sounds about right. Assuming you haven't upgraded your A/C, you probably (I emphasize probably) have a 13.5 k BTU (most common size) and a 3500 watt will run that just fine.

[SgtMark]

Not sure my a/c size my dealer said a 3500 watt
Would handle my camper just fine. I have a 27 ft
TT with one a/c unit.

[WyoTraveler]

Depends on RV. MH? I like the generator. Quick to charge on the road. We don't dry cakp much. TT or 5ver? I would go with solar and inverter. I had a generator with a previous 5ver. Had to go with propane. Would never do it again. Having a portable generator sitting on the ground and having to worry about theft doesn't work for me either. Solar and an inverter is quiet and works. Even with a MH if I dry camped a lot I would go with solar.

[pianotuna]

Hi KD4UPL.

Here is some real life testing (pay attention to the column for gallons per KWH):

15 kW portable Generac. Regular gas, fixed 3600 rpm.

No load , 0.8 gal/hr
25% load, 3.75 kW, 1.0 gal/hour, 3.8 kWH's/gal.
50% load, 7.5 kW, 1.3 gal/hour, 5.9 kWH's/gal.
75% load, 11.25 kW, 1.6 gal/hour, 7.0 kWH's/gal.
100% load, 15 kW, 1.8 gal/hour, 8.3 kWH's/gal.


Yamaha EF3000is, regular gas, variable rpm, ECO control on.

No load, 0.12 gal/hour.
25% load, 0.7 kW, 0.17 gal/hour, 4.1 kWH's/gal.
50% load, 1.4 kW, 0.32 gal/hour, 4.4 kWH's/gal.
75% load, 2.1 kW, 0.47 gal/hour, 4.5 kWH's/gal.
100% load, 2.8 kW, 0.60 gal/hour, 4.6 kWH's/gal.

Note that at 75% and 100% load a traditional generator is nearly twice as efficient as an inverter generator, so if you plan on running an air conditioner a (small) traditional generator may be a better choice.

[KD4UPL]

What Honda? The 3000 watt inverter gen. is usually only about $1,800.
An inverter genenerator will produce extremely clean power, run quieter, and use less fuel than a non inverter generator under most conditions. It will also cost more as you've found.
If your just running construction tools or the air conditioning than any old generator will do. If you're running computers, TV, Sat., DVD, etc. I would want the cleaner power of an inverter unit.
If I'm camping next to you I will greatly appreciate the lower noise of an inverter unit.
A Honda generator, inverter or not, will likely outlast any other generator you can buy.

[gbopp]

How about a Champion Inverter generator?

[Tom_Barb]

There are many ways to power up a trailer, so we need to know how your's is configured?